Description
Delightfully rich and buttery Maple Pecan Bars featuring a tender shortbread crust, a luscious maple syrup filling, and a smooth maple glaze topped with crunchy pecans. These bars blend the warm sweetness of maple with the nutty depth of pecans, making an irresistible dessert perfect for gatherings or cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Shortbread Crust
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 9 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- â…› teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Maple Filling
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- â…“ cup pure maple syrup
- â…” cup light brown sugar, packed
- â…“ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
For the Maple Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prepare the Shortbread Crust: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, flour, salt, and cold cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the vanilla extract and press the dough evenly into a greased or parchment-lined 9×9-inch square baking pan. Bake the crust for about 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden and set.
- Make the Maple Filling: While the crust is baking, prepare the filling by combining the softened butter, maple syrup, light brown sugar, and heavy cream in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and reaches a glossy, caramel-like consistency (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the coarsely chopped pecans. Spread this filling evenly over the warm baked crust, then return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and set.
- Prepare and Apply the Maple Glaze: While the bars cool, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and heavy cream in a bowl until smooth and pourable. Once the bars have cooled to room temperature, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top, then sprinkle with chopped pecans to finish. Allow the glaze to set before slicing into 12 bars and serving.
Notes
- For best results, use pure maple syrup to enhance the maple flavor.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting excessively.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- To make cutting easier, chill bars before slicing.
- You can toast the pecans lightly before using to amplify their nuttiness.
